If I remember correctly, those "USB-to-9pin serial" adapter cables you can find at some electronics stores are also considered USB-to-RS232, right? I think I have one of those cables somewhere, although I haven't ended up needing to use it (yet) to connect anything. But it sounds like if I ever run across an old modem or other piece of equipment that I want to try connecting to my computer using this USB-to-serial adapter cable, I might need to turn off the BFGMiner temporarily (?). Otherwise, it sounds like my other devices should be OK... I assume no external hard drive nor flash drive would be expected to have this RS232 chip in it, right?